start a fire

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The submarine vanished on November 15, 2017 after reporting that seawater had entered the ventilation system, causing a battery on the vessel to short-circuit and start a fire.

From Barron's • Mar. 4, 2026

“Now everything is so wet it is hard to even start a fire with wood,” she said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 13, 2025

"Because there is no cooking gas, no food. When we want to have a cup of tea, I collect leaves to start a fire."

From BBC • May 2, 2025

Exposure to salt water can also lead to battery failure and potentially start a fire.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2025

“My father used to boast he could start a fire with just a stick, a leaf, and a shiny bug!”

From "Copper Sun" by Sharon M. Draper